On Oct. 31 CMS released the final rule for the 2009 Physician Fee Schedule. The news is grim for Interventional Pain Physicians. The cuts for IPM physicians for office practices range from 2% to 28%, while cuts for physician fees, when performed in a facility, range from 1% to 10%, excluding implantables which are as high as 32%.

Click on the following link to see our calculations: http://www.asipp.org/documents/2009Physicia nFee.pdf

Click here for CMS assumptions: http://www.asipp.org/documents/CMSAssumpt ions.pdf

IPM Payment Rates for IPM Codes: HOPD & ASC

Additionally we have provided the payment tables for IPM codes under HOPD & ASC settings based on the recent final changes to the rule issued on Oct. 30, 2008.

Final Changes to HOPD and CY 2009

Final Changes to ASC and CY 2009

The AMA has informed ASIPP that we have met the requirements for eligibility to hold a seat on the House of Delegates.

The Specialty and Service Society (SSS) Credentials Committee reviewed ASIPP's application and in a report to the Committee, has recommended our representation in the House of Delegates.

Upon approval by the committee, it will then go to the AMA Board for discussion in April and if approved the recommendation will be adopted in June 2009.

Thanks and congratulations to all the members who responded to our call for help. Each member who acted by joining or who was already an AMA member has helped bring us one step closer to our goal; a seat and a voice in the AMA House of Delegates.

The Online Abstract Submission (see step-by- step procedures below) for the 11th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians (ASIPP) is now open. The meeting will be held June 26- July 1, 2009 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA.

To be considered for a presentation at the meeting, abstracts must be submitted and completed by the submission deadline of 5 pm Central Standard Time (CST) Monday, January 19, 2009.

Click on the following link for full instructions and to submit. http://www.asip p.org/abstracts/

The December Cadaver Workshop, Dec. 5- 7 , will feature instruction in basic, intermediate and intradiscal therapy procedures. The workshop will be preceded by a review course in fluoroscopic interpretation with an optional competency examination.

The course will be held in Memphis, TN at the Westin Memphis Beale Street and the Medical Education & Research Institute (MERI).

When booking your room at the Westin Memphis Beale Street, please inform the agent you are booking under ASIPP.

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Log on to the ASIPP Member's Only Web page to discuss issues important interventional pain management issues.

The service will be available to all active members in good-standing. We encourage you to log on, view and participate the new feature. Log on today and connect with your colleagues.

Member Blog: Once on the "Members Only" page, click on the "Members Blog" button to access or use the link indicated to go directly to the blog. http://asippme mbersite.org/blog Name: ASIPP Password: memberblog (Case sensitive)

Look for future announcements of a new "Dr Finder" site. A feature that will allow members to search for physicians by name, location, and/or specialty.

The Washington State Society has created a survey for Interventional Pain Medicine physicians for the purpose of gathering information from practitioners who have actual experience with Electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Practice Management systems.

The survey goal is to collect enough data to help those who are in the process of EMR evaluating systems for purchase. The results will hopefully help to minimize purchase mistakes and save IPM physicians time and money.

The survey goal is to collect enough data to help those who are in the process of EMR evaluating systems for purchase. The results will hopefully help to minimize purchase mistakes and save IPM physicians time and money.

Click on the link the link below to participate in the survey and please share it with your colleagues.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced last week a new initiative for physicians to trade in their prescription pads and improve efficiency and safety when ordering drugs for patients with Medicare. The initiative is included in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) final rule for calendar year 2009.

The recent economic crisis is causing many ASC executives to ask how these turbulent times will affect their malpractice coverage. We believe there is reason for concern. As Mr. Warren Buffett has reminded investors, we "only learn who has been swimming naked when the tide goes out". We have been seeing many seemingly infallible companies throughout all types of industries who have lost their trousers. The following is an example of a malpractice claim and its lifespan (Whitmore, Becker's ASC Review, Oct. 22, 2008).

The AM CPT 2009 Professional Edition, AMA HCPCS 2009 Level II, and AMA Physician ICD-9-CM 2009 - Vol. 1 & 2 are now available online. Get prepared for the new year by purchasing your copies today.

PC manufacturers know that many people will keep their old PC if upgrading means the new PC comes with Vista. Under pressure from the manufacturers, Microsoft has created a window of opportunity for you to get a new PC with Windows XP (DeJesus, Physician Entrepreneur, Oct. 30, 2008)

ASIPP is now offering a new feature for those who advertise on our Positions Wanted section of the ASIPP Website. As a service to our advertisers and our members, please find the link to each current job posting.

Fellows hip Trained Physician - Northwest Indiana

Out patient Interventional Pain Physician - Atlanta, Georgia

Pain Management Opportunity - Pennsylvania

Entrepre neurial Opportunity - Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Florida Opportunities

Pain Medicine Fellowship Program Opportunity

BC/ BE Physiatrist - Shrewsbury, New Jersey

Part nership Opportunity - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

100% Pain Practice - Eau Claire, Wisconsin

Natio nal Pain Institute - Florida

Interv entional Pain Specialist - Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

MAYO CLINIC - Cardiac Anesthesiologist

Interven tional Pain Physiatrist Wanted - Nevada